H/J Barns within an hour of Bellingham, Washington

[Dotty]

My horse and I are moving from the Southeastern U.S. to Bellingham, WA. I’m looking for a hunter trainer at a good barn (indoor ring, outdoor ring, good footing, trails or field, matted stalls, etc) with full board that is within an hour drive of Bellingham (the closer the better!).

Currently I lesson 1 to 2 times per week, get training rides as needed, and we do a few C shows each year. My current barn is a mix of people who do A shows throughout the Southeast all year and others like me who do a couple/few C shows in the summer. I enjoy being with those that are serious about riding but less competitive like myself, but also I benefit from boarding with those that are more competitive because it means I get to have a really amazing trainer. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Also any info on how often horses get turned out in that climate at hunter/jumper barns during the rainy season would be helpful. I don’t really know what to expect in terms of changes in ‘lifestyle’ for my horse. Thanks so much!

[ilovetheadd27]

I am not located in that area of WA, but have heard great things about Paige Wagter at Burkwood Farms in Blaine. She seems to always have nice quality horses for sale or lease, and I’ve seen her students at several rated shows and she always brings a good crew. No direct experience, but maybe one to research. Good luck on your search!

[Dotty]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Credosporthorses]

Paige is great. I think Stanwood might be a bit further south then you are wanting to go but I run a small program at the Stanwood equestrian center.

[541hunter]

@ilovetheadd27

I am not located in that area of WA, but have heard great things about Paige Wagter at Burkwood Farms in Blaine. She seems to always have nice quality horses for sale or lease, and I’ve seen her students at several rated shows and she always brings a good crew. No direct experience, but maybe one to research. Good luck on your search!

I’ve been stabled by Paige at a couple of the shows and she’s always been really nice. Riders seem well-mounted, appropriately fancy for the level they’re at, and I haven’t seen any funny business (and I’m there at all hours). I would definitely say she’s worth looking into. I’ve seen her post Facebook photos of her horses turned out but I can’t speak to how much they actually get.

Turnout in general in the rainy PNW in winter is imperfect. The best-appointed barns have all-weather turnouts but not usually like big paddocks year-round. Lots of mid-range barns have runs with gravel and bigger grass/dirt paddocks that definitely get muddy. Haven’t seen much all-day turnout during the winter at the show barns, at least in Oregon.

[Dotty]

I really appreciate these comments and the info on winter turnout in the PNW. Since I’m willing to drive around an hour, I’m also wondering about barns/trainers in Langley, BC. It looks like there are a bunch of nice hunter/jumper barns there. Do people live in WA and board a horse in BC? I don’t really know what’s realistic but I want to explore all of my options.
I’ll definitely contact Paige! Thanks again!

[Calvincrowe]

I’d think crossing the border into BC repeatedly would get to be a drag—traffic can be a bear there at times. I’ve heard good things about Paige as well, so a good place to start for sure.

[costco_muffins]

Paige is by far the best for what you are looking for in the Bellingham area. She frequents the local and rated shows, coaches IEA, and runs an amazing winter show circuit. She is nice, responsible, fair, clear, and an overall decent human. Her group of kids range from itty bitties on ponies to a strong middle school group to a super group of high schoolers with childrens hunters and eq horses to a nice subset of college and young adult gals. She doesn’t have as many older AA type riders.

Paige has a ton of turnout (it does get muddy in winter) and nice, safe stalls. Her indoor is small (60x120) but the outdoor is huge (200x300). She is able to accomplish a lot in the indoor through winter and her kids always ride well and have appropriate horses.

http://www.burkwoodfarms.com/

Aside from Paige, you have Suzy Huizinga and Kim Barber. Neither one frequents the rated circuit. Suzy teaches the IHSA team for WWU currently and Kim has a strong group of pony clubbers, an IEA team, and frequents the local circuit down in Seattle.

I would also think that you could contact any of these trainers and ask them for suggestions of who might fit best. They all get along well enough and all have a niche.

Outside of Bellingham, if you can stomach the drive to Camano, this is another option state side.

http://www.elkgroveridingclub.com/

[kenyarider]

If you want to get a pass you can cross the border pretty easily. There are a lot of very good hunter jumper trainers in BC. Laura and Brent Balinsky, Eddie Makken (Irish Olympic rider - name probably misspelled). Natasha Brash, the list goes on. Washington - not so many options.

[Salty]

I used to cross the border every day for dressage lessons & only had a problem once, when I had to prove that I wasn’t working in BC. There is a plethora of good H/J trainers up there!

[Dotty]

That’s really good to know! Seems like that possibility will open up lots of options for me.

[TresGauche]

Dotty, when are you moving up? I’d check out the Canadians for sure. Just get a Nexus pass and zip on across the border.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html

Check out Thunderbird Show Park which is maybe 30 mins from Bellingham
https://www.tbird.ca/

This is a fun barn with lots of different levels of riders-

http://www.thunderbirdshowstables.com/Boarding/Default.aspx

Also Five Star

http://www.fivestarfarms.ca/show-schedule.html

[Sueb]

Elk Grove on Camano does a good job . They run a solid program with nice quality horses . They don’t do a big lesson/ school Horse program so you have a lot less arena traffic than some places .
Their turnouts are well maintained sand with shelters to let the horses get out of the rain .
The big thing with looking into turnouts in the northwest is how well the property drains and how good of a job the farm does maintaining their paddocks ie: adding new sand / gravel , cleaning daily etc so you’re Horse does not stand in mud .

[16_Hands]

Check Flying Changes magazine on-line, they have a listing of trainers and barns in the PNW.

[BNBRDG]

Look into getting a Nexus pass so you can cross the border easier (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus) Welcome to the PNW! I just moved back here from Northern Virginia and am so happy! I’m down near Seattle though so unfortunately my trainers are a bit too far from you.

[BNBRDG]

By the way, if you need a shipper, let me know! I just shipped my horse out here and the guy I used is absolutely wonderful!

[Dotty]

I plan to move Summer 2019. I’m trying to learn about barns, trainers, and what to look for when I visit PNW barns early because I have no idea what waitlists look like for barns in that area. Of course my horse is my #1 priority in this coast to coast move! I haven’t looked into anything for myself yet